Friday, April 30, 2010

fast-post friday

On my list of good things to happen the top thing is that I no longer smell like garlic.

How weird was that?

Really weird.

The next best thing is that I got my hair cut the other day and now I can wear it down without looking like a fool. Growing your hair out is tough business. It never grows even, and my hair was looking really bad. It's better now, I feel pretty.

Last night I made Pizza dough, and this weekend I will be making pizzas galore, I have enough dough for 2 big ones, or lots and lots of small ones. I love pizza...

number 3: I got over my fear of yeast. When you're new to cooking yeast is scary. I'm no longer afraid.

4: I cleaned out the refrigerator! That's good for so so many reasons.

5. I ordered 2 blank zip up hooded sweatshirts online today so I can make something similar to this,
for about 1/3 the cost. (sorry etsy, you're great but I don't want to spend $64 on something I can make myself for $17)

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

I've fallen... Hard

I've fallen in love with a book, and I only started reading it last night, but I'd marry it if I could.
I love it, it makes me so happy.

It's by Mark Twain, someone who I've loved since the 7th grade; and if you read and didn't like Huck Finn, or Tom Sawyer try this one anyways. It's romantic, and sweet, and a look at life from a child's eyes with adult reasoning skills. It's interesting, and I'll probably finish tonight. It's short, and wonderful.

It's The Diaries of Adam and Eve and my sister suggested it to me (well more like shoved it in my face then yelled at me every day till I opened it) and I couldn't be more thankful.

A while back she suggested Twilight to me... But that is another story, and I won't share my opinion on Twilight just yet. (although I so have a love for the kid who plays Jacob Black. It's not a secret he has a body from the gods).

And I'd show you a photo, but my server has decided to lash out at me for no reason today and is rejecting every image I try to upload, my sincerest apologies.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

time for a break

my one true love
When you cry, and your tears smell like garlic, it's time to lay off the cloves for a while.

Except I had some chex mix for breakfast, and I'm pretty sure I tasted some garlic in there... although it could have just been my tongue, which has the taste on it from last nights failure of guacamole.

Tips for guacamole: keep it simple. If you like avocados, then don't mess it up with a lot of ingredients.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

granola

I can't tell you how awesome it feels to be posting my own (adapted) recipe. And it's for something as versatile as granola, which has uses in the health food world, as well in the dessert world.

This version is deliciously nutty, and I pretty much don't like any nut other than those of the peanut variety.

So go forth people, and whip up some granola, its fibery goodness that your colon will thank you for.

Ingredients:

3 and 1/4 cup of quick oats
1/2 cup of chopped (crushed, I used the bottom of a glass) unsalted peanuts
1/3 cup of honey
1/3 cup of brown sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp warm water
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Directions:

1. preheat oven to 250 F, lightly grease baking sheet
2. in a large bowl combine and stir together all dry ingredients
3. in a separate bowl combine everything else and stir together really well; then pour over the oat mixture and mix till evenly coated
4. spread out evenly on the baking sheet and cook for one hour stirring every 15 minutes for even cooking

This is delicious as cereal, but really fulling. I'd go as far as saying better than Honey Bunches of Oats. Plus making your own granola is fun, and it makes your house smell all wonderful and comfortable. Plus, since mother nature thinks it's funny to make it cold again, this will warm your heart and your kitchen.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

something that I hate

How similar Zucchini and Cucumbers look in the store. I was on a speed kick and got the cucumbers instead of the zucchini...

See this? No wonder I got messed up!

I guess I'll be trying homemade pickles sooner than I thought.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

a thought I have often

am I the only one who finds them self sitting there, alone, thinking about nothing and everything all at once; when all of a sudden a single thought crosses my mind more powerful than any other?

That thought?

I really love Harry Potter.

Monday, April 19, 2010

weekends are far too short

This weekend I:

Made my own granola (recipe to follow)

Made a fruit dessert with that granola and ate of for breakfast. Ice cream included!

Watched Alien, and Aliens

Went grocery shopping

Went swimming

Took my little sister to put in job applications

Bought raspberry/cranberry vinaigrette dressing (Saturday) and have had so many salads with it (its amazing) half the bottle is gone

Roasted a chicken (so easy, I never knew!)

And most importantly celebrated my one year anniversary with David. We went to 5 guys (he broke his diet for me... how sweet) cuddled, and then played video games, separately, because that's how we roll.

Love you David! (if you ever decide to read this) You're an awesome boyfriend, I'm a lucky gal. You make my heart go pitter patter, and I love that about you.


Friday, April 16, 2010

fill in the blank Friday... for real, yo!

I would like to say first off that I am sorry for being "absent" this past week. I've been here, at my computer like normal, I've just felt uninspired. Or rather, not interested in writing.

Forgive me, I'll be back in the swing soon... I hope.

Now, for filling in the blanks!

1. The first thing I do in the morning is go to the bathroom. I usually do this before my alarm even rings.

2. Every night before bed I (this may be gross but...) I squeeze out all the "gas" i was holding in all day long. I give you permission to never read anything I write again. I'm sorry. It's all I could think of that's true.

3. Something that makes me cringe is the thought of lotion on the palm of my hands... actually the palms of any ones hands. Mine sweat, and I like to put lotion on just the tops of my hands, the thought of lotion(ey), wet hands on purpose grosses me out to the max.

4. Social situations make my uncomfortable, and in turn quiet. Especially when they are forced, like "lets go to my parents house..." ,or "I'm having a party, EVERYONE is coming" just awful. I'd rather everything just be spontaneous, its better that way.

5. I like to collect ideas! Not really, but I do tend to have a lot of things planned that will, hopefully, eventually come to the surface. I don't collect anything though... I get why some people do, I just don't.

6. Weekends are for relaxing, playing games, seeing friends, drinking, waking up hungover, kisses, sleeping in, making elaborate breakfasts and lunches, washing clothes, vacuuming, grocery shopping, eating out, reading, playing video games, wearing pj's all day long, relaxing in the sun, playing with the animals, talking about things other than work, and living the life that you work all week for. Being yourself, unbound, for a whole 2 days (sometimes 3 if you're lucky).

Do your blanks need filling in? Hop on over here, and answer the questions too. It's fun, and for the currently uninspired, its easy too.

PS: I've been blogging in my head all week... I've taken photos even to show you the pretty green stuff growing around, but when it comes to actually doing it I just haven't gotten there. My sincerest apologies.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Fill in the blank Fri... Uh, Saturday

Because I was so excited about Black beans yesterday I forgot to do this, which I was meaning to do. Sorry. You know me, always on top of things... Don't make that any dirtier than it already is.

1. The strangest thing I've ever eaten was probably a penny. I did actually eat it on purpose. I remember it very vividly, I was in my mothers room, smelling the pennies, and I decided I liked the way it smelled enough to taste it. And I swallowed it.

2. My Best Friend is the most amazing, handsome, strong person I know. His name is Robert... he goes by Bobby. I've loved him for as long as I can remember. He is gay ( I prefer it that way) and the amazing things he has taught me about the world and myself... I'm forever grateful. I love you Bob.

3. If I could live in a different era it would be Elizabethan , because I have always been fascinated by the lack of technology, the clothes, the beauty, the everything. I want to be there when dresses were the only thing I was allowed to wear, and I could get by on my looks (not that that's what's right, it'd just be nice to be able to live with the one you love forever, have children, and not have to worry about being a provider). Plus, the hair was amazing, I want to wear a powdered wig almost every day.

4. I like the sound of a rain storm. It's so calming, and you know you're safe because no one would want to be out side in the pouring rain to come after you. I'm not perpetually scared; however I do feel so safe in the house during a storm.

5. If you only knew one thing about me it would be I am weaker than I appear, and stronger than I think I am. I hate asking for help, I hate crying, I hate showing my vulnerability. It all sucks.

6. My Favorite book of all time is Harry Potter, and whatever I'm reading. If I finish a book, it means I liked it. I'm fickle, my favorite book changes as I turn the page.

7. The one beauty product I can't live without is Bobbi pins. I know it's not really a "beauty product" persé, but I love them. They make me beautiful. Oh, and chapstick, that is a MUST.

8. Blogging is something I had no idea I'd love so much. I'm a fan of both sides, I love to read what others say, and I love to write. Blogging is magnificent, and it's not for everyone. I have a whole separate group of things I do in the blogging world than in the real one, and I like that I have this infinite space to go to and learn from.

9. If I could star in a movie with any actor/actress I would want to work with Hugh Grant is my secret love. I know he is getting older, but that scene in Love Actually where he turns on the radio and dances around his house is better than any other. I know he was acting, but it was brilliant. Hopefully it'd be a movie where we fell in love, and although I'm younger than he is, we made it work. Because real love doesn't care... As long as it's not pedophilia, that's wrong, and gross.

10. One of the best feelings in the world is stepping into a hot shower, or hot tub. I love hot water more than almost anything in the world. I love it so much I honestly have dreams about showers and baths. I want to go to a hot spring someday and build a house over it.

Friday, April 9, 2010

a really yummy black bean dinner

Black beans are by far my favorite. I fell in love with them when I worked at Texas Roadhouse and they had a dinner called "Southwest Chicken" which was basically grilled chicken with provolone cheese (I think, it was white) and a black bean sauce over top with a side of sour cream. It was perfect, delicious; and for some reason they discontinued it :(


Anyways, ever since I've been having a secret love affair with black beans and preying that some day I'll remember to make southwest chicken for myself.

David is on a diet, and I have decided that although he is doing "shakes" and "bars" and pre-packaged things, I'm going to try to eat healthier without buying things already done or relying on someone else to measure things for me. The best diet is one where you change your eating habits permanently, otherwise you pretend you're a yo'yo and you never learn on your own. Not my goal, I want to be healthy for a life time.

I joined Eat Better America and naturally one of the "spring" recipes caught my eye because it was a BLT, with the "B" being Black Beans!

Here is the recipe, and one of the people complain about the mixture being too wet, but I'm guessing they just used more salsa than was required, because I just dumped what I has left into the bowl, and it was perfect.

Now, I must tell you, I used Everything Bagels, because they are good for everything. And I thought we had tomatoes, but we didn't. And I have a newly found passion for Raspberry Salsa, something I found at a home and garden store that literally changed my life. I also, since we were missing tomato, decided to put a thin layer of plain cream cheese on one side of the bagel. It was divine. I suggest you try it.

If you're a  fan of raspberries and want to try it with raspberry salsa try this recipe only adding 1/2 cup chopped fresh tomatoes (whats salsa without tomato?) and I also suggest using a food processor a bit so that it's not full of too large chunks, it looks good, I haven't tried it, but I will be very soon.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

how I know I'm getting old

This is how I know I'm getting old: I slept funny last night (big surprise, I'm a weird sleeper) and now I seriously can't move my neck.

I was trying to stretch it out, but it hurt so bad I couldn't even move my entire right arm for thirty seconds or so until it stopped freaking out.

I now smell like menthol because I rubbed IcyHot all over it and although I think it smells nice, most people associate menthol smell with old people.

So I smell like an old person, and I feel like one.

I must be a duck.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

coolest ring ever?

This is what the BF brought me back from Punta Cana, along with a big kiss, some hugs, and a nice bit of snuggle time.


2 rings? No!

See this madness


Wonderful, right? I get 2 rings and something fun to play with when I'm bored.
David is a good boyfriend.

Friday, April 2, 2010

i WANT this

There are no words to describe how amazing I think this is.


I don't know why, but this little dandelion blowing in the wind speaks to me...

I think it looks AMAZING on this dark grey wall, I love dark grey walls. I love this.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

A whole new look

Notice anything new, strange, fantastic???

I've been dying to update my blog to a more summery look, but I just never had the time....

Today I did.

Side note: Today I got a babysitting job! I had talked to a recently divorced woman a while back about watching her kids while she worked, and she never got back to me, today she did. Now I will be working for her 2 days a month! ( I know, a ton) but I'll be good since it's not over whelming and I'm only charging her $50 a night (she wants me to sleep there Sunday nights and get the kiddos out for the bus Monday).